HOLLAND, MI – A new one-year contract between the Holland Public Schools and the district’s teachers ties any pay increase they may receive to the district beating its enrollment projection for the upcoming school year.

The Board of Education on Monday, Aug. 19, unanimously ratified the agreement, shortly after the Holland Education Association approved it earlier in the day. The pact affects about 280 teachers, HEA President Rick Slachta said.

The contract does not call for automatic percentage raises or step increases for teachers, but allows for “incremental enhancements” if Holland should exceed its enrollment projection of slightly less than 4,100 students for the school year that begins Sept. 3, said Rich Zuker, the district’s human resources director.

The projected enrollment forecasts a loss of 96 students from the previous school year, Zuker said.

“If our enrollment is better than projected, and we hit certain enrollment benchmarks (the enhancements will take effect),” Zuker said, with possible outcomes including step increases, depending on how many students enroll.

Slachta, a veteran HEA negotiator who has worked on teacher contracts for more than 25 years, says he cannot recall negotiating a one-year contract in the past.

“We wanted to acknowledge the uncertainties in state funding (of education) with our settlement,” he said.

The contract also includes a switch in the health care coverage for teachers to a high-deductible health savings account plan. Teachers will continue to pay 18 percent of their health insurance premium costs, Zuker said.